In a significant move highlighting the intersection of automotive technology, international trade, and national security, a group of 20 Democratic U.S. lawmakers has reached out to Mexico’s newly inaugurated President, Claudia Sheinbaum. Their concern centers on potential security threats posed by Chinese-made connected vehicles produced in Mexico, reflecting a growing global unease about data security in software-driven vehicles.
The congressional initiative, spearheaded by Representative Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, came in the form of a letter to President Sheinbaum, who took office on Tuesday. The lawmakers are urging the Mexican leader to implement a national review system for the production of connected electric vehicles (EVs) in Mexico. Additionally, they’ve requested that a delegation be sent to the United States by early 2025 to delve deeper into these concerns.
At the heart of the matter is the fear that data collected by Chinese-made connected vehicles could be exploited for surveillance purposes. In more extreme scenarios, lawmakers warn of the potential for these vehicles to be remotely controlled via internet and internal navigation systems. This apprehension is amplified by Chinese automaker BYD’s plans to potentially establish a factory in Mexico, a move that could create around 10,000 jobs but also raises security questions.
This outreach to the Mexican president is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend. Just last month, the United States proposed a ban on Chinese and Russian vehicle software, aiming to limit both hardware and software in automobiles that use various connectivity technologies. The U.S. Department of Commerce has explicitly warned about the vulnerability of these connected systems to foreign interference.
The concern extends beyond U.S. borders. Canada has already imposed a 100% tariff on Chinese EVs and is contemplating similar restrictions on Chinese software in vehicles. Across the Atlantic, the European Union is poised to vote on a substantial import tariff on most Chinese EVs, further indicating the global nature of these concerns.
China, for its part, has pushed back against these measures, accusing them of violating fair trade principles and market economy guidelines. Beijing argues that these actions are more about stifling competition than addressing genuine security concerns.
This development underscores the complex challenges facing the automotive industry as it rapidly evolves towards electric and connected vehicles. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into vehicles, questions of data security, national sovereignty, and international trade are becoming inextricably linked, prompting governments worldwide to reassess their policies and relationships in this new automotive landscape.
